upgrade meter tails, or downgrade main incoming fuse??

[martinsayer81]

hi guys

hoping you could give me your thoughts,

i am pricing for a consumer unit change, its an old fuseboard with re-wireables.
it has 16mm meter tails, but it has a fairly new looking 100A main fuse.

its a small-ish house..... 2 ring mains, 2 lighting radials, a couple of sockets in the garage, and an immersion heater radial,

i was wondering whether or not i could just down-grade the main fuse to a 60A and keep the existing 16mm tails( no damage, or signs of overheating or burning)
or whether i have to leave the fuse at 100A and fit 25mm tails?

there's no electric shower or oven,

i would appreciate your advice

many thanks

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Is it a major hassle to upgrade? If not price it in you can get a 2 meter tail pack for 15 - 20 quid

...i know where you can get a 3 meter 25mm tail pack for 3 quid......
well theres this bloke i know who works for the council.....he has a `clearout` once a month on the bootsale.....

 

[dim_bulb]

Yes but you didn't factor in the air fare it cost to go to china and back to get the gear

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Yes but you didn't factor in the air fare it cost to go to china and back to get the gear

what it is.....is their `offcuts`...their issued with...lets say a 25 meter drum of tails.....so they put more on a job..than it really was....the rest goes on the bootsale...lol....god, he`s got allsorts..C/Us chuffin RCBOs..drums of twin...lol...

 

[dim_bulb]

Sounds a good bargain, I'm only jokeing around
i only get gear at wholesalers as if there's a problem I feel I have a warranty in place

 

[143del]

OK Martin, With a TNS and a run of less than 2 mtrs you can use 16mm tails as a foot note they normaly fit 80 amp fuses in the DNO for domestic properties nowdays previously they fitted 60 amp

 

[SLSpark]

the main fuse may be 80-100amp i would upgrade the tails to 25mm the fuse is nothing to do with you but as you are upgrading the system why not upgrade the main tails as its fairly cheap to do so £10 max material , disconnecting them from old board anyway .
i always upgrade to 25mm tails and 16mm earth incoming

 

[Octopus]

the main fuse may be 80-100amp i would upgrade the tails to 25mm the fuse is nothing to do with you but as you are upgrading the system why not upgrade the main tails as its fairly cheap to do so £10 max material , disconnecting them from old board anyway .
i always upgrade to 25mm tails and 16mm earth incoming

So do you always cut the seals on the meter then?

 

[SLSpark]

consumers isolation switch is 30cm max from main fuse murdoch.

if there isnt a isolation point the electricity supplier will gladly fit this for £85 allowing the electrician to carry our his work without cutting seals or pulling fuse.

i could easily re seal using my sealing plyers and SP seals as i am authorised contractor

 

[Octopus]

consumers isolation switch is 30cm max from main fuse murdoch.

if there isnt a isolation point the electricity supplier will gladly fit this for £85 allowing the electrician to carry our his work without cutting seals or pulling fuse.

i could easily re seal using my sealing plyers and SP seals as i am authorised contractor

And all your customers are happy to pay this?

 

[SLSpark]

all my customers appreciate my good quality work,knowledge and professionalism so my advice is golden to them its not much of a hassle to have this done actually can benifit in future , they are there for a reason thats why every new build will have L in and out of switch and nuetral in & out

 

[Geoffsd]

I wonder what it will do to the copper prices if/when everyone has tails (and cables ?) 50% larger than necessary.

 

[SLSpark]

:s every new property has this as standard so copper prices are not the issue , the guys asked for advice put in 25mm and allow for growth of the electrical system

 

[Octopus]

:s every new property has this as standard so copper prices are not the issue , the guys asked for advice put in 25mm and allow for growth of the electrical system

Interestingly most products being bought now can be "greener" so when will the time come when we have to rip out 25mm tails and go around fitting 60A fuses!


LOL

 

[SLSpark]

this would never happen , i will leave you to carry on with your negative argumentative ways !!!!

 

[Octopus]

this would never happen , i will leave you to carry on with your negative argumentative ways !!!!

lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!